An amazing human
Thanks for all the dreams you nurtured and for choosing to help so many Kenyan students.
Dear KEF friends,
It is with deep sadness and the heaviest of hearts that we inform you of the unexpected death of Bradley Broder, Founder and Executive Director of Kenya Education Fund on Friday, April 8th. He leaves behind his wife Lindsey Elenson, sons Dean and Dezi, parents Cliff and Matilde Broder, sister Samantha, her husband Brandon Rigoli, their children, Leo and Mia, and the thousands of people whose lives he changed.
Twenty years ago, Brad joined the Peace Corps, serving in Kenya. It was there that he began to understand the Kenyan community and their challenges and met Public Health Officer, Dominic Muasya. Towards the end of 2004, Brad went back to Kenya to visit Dominic. Upon his return to the US, Brad sent Dominic the first wire, the first student was enrolled in school in 2005 and KEF was born.
Over the past 17 years, KEF has provided educations for more than 3,600 young Kenyan men and women who now support themselves and their communities. But Brad’s impact is far more significant considering the thousands of lives that each KEF scholar and donor has touched.
Brad’s exceptional vision, dedication, and ability to gather like-minded people together elevated the lives of young Kenyans in need of an education and those of us lucky enough to have been in his orbit. His indelible impact will live on in our hearts and be witnessed by the world.
Today, KEF’s programs and operations in Kenya are on solid ground under the leadership of Dominic, together with Kenyan Board of Directors Chair Dr. Grace Waiharo. To ensure the sustainability and continuity of the work that Brad championed, two US Board members, Allison Schlanger and James Kinney, will oversee operations in the United States for the next few months.
On the day that Brad passed away, KEF was completing interviews with well-deserving and qualified students for the 160 high school scholarships KEF will award this year. Thanks to Brad's efforts, this is one of the largest classes we have accepted.
Please leave a memorial tribute to Brad in the comments here. Should you wish to make a contribution in honor of Brad, click here or send a check to Kenya Education Fund, 360 East 72nd Street, Suite 3405, New York, NY 10021.The Broder Family has pledged to match the first $50,000 raised. These contributions will be used to honor his memory at the direction of the Broder Family and in consultation with KEF Board of Directors.
We are all unbelievably blessed to have worked alongside Brad, and that he let us join him on his journey.
With sadness and gratitude,
KEF Board of Directors
USA: 360 East 72nd Street, Suite 3405, New York, NY 10021
Kenya: P. O. Box 384-00100, GPO Nairobi
Email: info@kenyaeducationfund.org Web: www.kenyaeducationfund.org
POEM : A CHANCE BY KEF STUDENT - JENIFER ACHONGO
A vacancy was left,
No hopes no wishes
For anyone to fill the space,
Your position in our hearts,
It's blank and empty,
We will try our best to wear a smile.
A light you lit to the world,
A path you created for all well-wishers,
Belief is what you had for us,
You saw our future and decided to push us,
You wanted to see us up there,
But too early you left,
Left to walk thru this path alone.
We can't stop shedding tears,
For all we wished for was a chance,
Chance to show our gratitude,
Chance to show our joy for knowing you,
Chance to thank you for your support,
We knew the chance was always there,
Unfortunately it's no more.
And now we stand here,
You are too far from our reach,
Hoping that your soul is at peace,
But thank you for all,
Along the path you showed us we will follow,
We will remain loyal to charity,
We will reach up there where you wanted us,
For legacy Bradley ,
Legacy is what you've left,
Rest in peace Bradly Broder
